Member Communication

A message from Kevin Ellis, Chief Executive Officer

West Seneca Expansion

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Work at the West Seneca site expansion is well underway.  Significant progress has been achieved in the milk receiving areas, new office HVAC installation, and wastewater pit construction, with steel erection continuing across the site.  The project is on track to meet our anticipated construction timeline.  

While things are moving forward and I’m eager for the plant to start up next fall, I wanted to make you aware of an issue that we’ve been navigating related to the expansion project.  

Earlier this year, the Cooperative was informed by NYSEG that the full electrical capacity required to operate the expansion will not be available within the timeline necessary to meet contractual obligations to our customers.  

After exploring all options to power the facility, the Cooperative has signed a purchase order for on-site inline generators that will utilize natural gas and propane to power the West Seneca expansion.  While this was a difficult decision to make, it ensures the success of this expansion and protects the current timeline.  As you can imagine, this increases the cost of the project, but the proforma remains positive.  While this was not part of the plan, it was necessary to move forward with an alternative energy solution while we continue pursuing assistance from the State.

In an effort to raise the level of concern with power availability – both on Member Farms and in your plants – I participated in a roundtable with Governor Hochul on July 29, 2026, to discuss the development of data centers in New York and the pressure being placed on the State’s energy and water infrastructure.

Despite these unexpected developments, the expansion plans at West Seneca remain on sound footing, and we are excited about the growth and possibilities the expansion will bring to the Cooperative.

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